UK holiday searches in February totalled 1.2 million, down significantly on November’s 2.9 million, according to new research.
The study, from Greenlight, comes as some tour operators in the UK are reporting an impromptu boom in holiday bookings to warmer destinations including the Mediterranean, triggered by March’s extreme weather.
Generic holiday terms including ‘last minute holidays’ ‘all inclusive holidays’, ‘cheap all inclusive holidays’ and ‘package holidays’, made up 55% (695,000) of all holiday-related queries.
‘Cheap holidays’, which in July 2012 peaked at 1 million searches, was the most popular holiday-related search time February. However, it accounted for just 165,000 (13%) queries.
Dubai tops holiday searches to long-haul destinations
There were 372,872 searches for holidays to long-haul destinations. Dubai proved the most popular draw. Combined, search volumes for ‘Dubai holidays’ and ‘Holidays to Dubai’ totalled 26,200 constituting a 7% share of holiday searches to long-haul destinations.
New York followed with the terms ‘New York Holidays’ and ‘Holidays to New York’ cumulatively making up 6% of searches (22,900). It was likewise for holidays to Thailand.
Turkey most popular short-haul holiday hot spot
Turkey, Malta and Cyprus proved to be the most popular short-haul holiday hot spots. The keyword ‘Turkey holidays’ was queried 9,900 times, accounting for 5% of all searches made for the subsector whilst searches pertaining to Malta and Cyprus each accounted for 4% of searches – 8,100 apiece.
In fact from both a financial and currency perspective, the Mediterranean is expected to be a popular destination for British holidaymakers for the duration of 2013, according to the 2012/2013 Post Office Holiday Money Report.
Post Office Head of Travel Money Andrew Brown commented:“If sterling holds its value and resort costs in Turkey and Greece stay at current levels, there will be plenty for UK holidaymakers to look forward to in the eastern Med this year. By contrast, rising prices mean Bulgaria, Portugal and Italy could feel the pressure as families look carefully at holiday finances.”
First Choice the most prominent site to holiday searchers
Greenlight’s report analysed the most visible websites and advertisers on Google UK in the Natural Search listings* and Paid Media space.
Overall, Thomas Cook was the most visible website in the Natural Search listings, achieving a 60% share of voice.
On The Beach was the most visible advertiser in the Paid Media space, achieving a 77% share of visibility.
However, First Choice ranked at the top of Greenlight’s Integrated Search league table, as it achieved a sizable share of visibility for holiday-related searches across both the Natural Search and Paid Media space.
Interestingly, Greenlight’s report found that almost half (nineteen) of the forty most prominent sites in Integrated Search had no visibility in the organic listings relying solely on their prominence in paid listings to secure their visibility to searches. They included brands like Saga, Butlins, exclusive members only travel club Secret Escapes and leading online pan-European travel agency, Ebookers.
Source: http://www.greenlightdigital.com/
